Paving bid accepted

Tuesday, August 28, 2012By NAN SNIDER

Monette City Council awarded a paving bid for the Monette Sports Complex at the Thursday, Aug. 23, meeting.

The council received four bids for pads and asphalt paving. The deadline for completion of the park project is Nov. 1, 2012. The council accepted the lowest bid from Wood Construction Company for $25,000 with a vote of 5-0, with Alderman Dick Pace abstaining. Funding will be taken from the Repair and Emergency Park Fund and from the Monette Youth Association and a short-term loan from Liberty Bank.

An existing loan from Liberty Bank will be finalized and a new loan will be established for necessary expenditures.

The council proposed an amendment to the existing mobile home ordinance, with conditioning for age and condition of the mobile homes being placed inside the city limits. Concerns about inadequate wiring and possibility of fire hazards were major concerns.

"Since we do not have a zoning board, we are helpless on this issue," Mayor Chub Qualls said. "We need something like this in the future, but for right now we just need to revise our mobile home ordinance."

City Beautification Chairman Joyce Read reported All Scapes Nursery, from Jonesboro, trimmed and mulched the Intersection Park at a cost of $1,200.

"They did an excellent job, and it looks so good," Read said.

Read also announced the home of Bob and Oleta Birondo was chosen as the August Yard of the Month.

The council voted 6-0 to purchase a used four-wheeler Mule from Bob Grisham for $5,500. The cost will be divided between the Street Department and Water and Sewer Departments.

"The Mule looks brand new," Qualls said. "It will be convenient for employees to work from and allow Jerry (Lamar) to use it for reading meters."

The council requested the use of the Mule should be limited to certain designated personnel.

Renovation of the police station was completed for under $3,000. Some additional wiring may be needed.

The council requested two lists be compiled by the Water and Sewer Department for necessary needs and future wants, so the budget committee can consider both.

Mayor Qualls reported a fiber optic line had been cut, due to incorrect marking, but the problem has been taken care of.

The annual Night at the Park was set for 6-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10. The Police Department will be in charge of the night's activities at the city park.

Qualls announced a plan for the water drainage situation downtown had been discussed and approved by owners.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at city hall.